Band for performing an activity

ABSTRACT

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to performing an activity by a band. In one embodiment, a method includes touching a subset of virtual inputs, on a surface sensitive to touch associated with a first band, for an activity with a second band. The method may also include communicating, by the first band, first data to a first mobile device. The first data may include information that identifies completion of the activity and indicates a time period that the subset are touched. The method may also include communicating, by the first mobile device, second data to a second mobile device to replicate the activity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/010,113, filed Jun. 15, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/317,911, filed Jun. 27, 2014 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,999,280, which are incorporated by reference as if fully setforth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application is directed to electronic communication devices anddevices to assist in prayer, meditation, or the like.

BACKGROUND

Social media continues to grow exponentially. Individuals receiveincreasing volume of news alerts, advertising, emails, texts, tweets,Facebook notifications, Instagram notifications, etc. to a point wherethere may be less personal time for meditation, prayer, affirmation,self-reflection, thoughtful introspection, or the like.

Consumers continue to adapt to the capabilities and conveniencesafforded by mobile communication devices. Consumers also show awillingness to wear bracelets as a sign of support for a specific causeor as a psychological trigger for a particular purpose.

There is also growth in demand for more traditional prayer/meditationbeads which is linked to a positive trend in individuals' desire to“disconnect” from their digital life and spend more time meditating andpraying. Beads have been used for centuries as a way to keep track ofprayers, meditations, and affirmations. An example is the rosary beadsused by some Catholics. By physically touching each bead, theindividual's focus is anchored to their task and thoughts, and they areless easily distracted by their surroundings. This focus results in alonger and higher quality of time spent in prayer or meditation that inturn increases the psychological, physical, and spiritual benefitsderived from such activity.

SUMMARY

A bracelet/band and a system to enhance an experience of prayer ormeditation are described. Also described is a method of enhancing anexperience of prayer or meditation. The bracelet/band may be configuredto be worn on a wrist of a user and configured to assist and enhance anact of praying or meditating. The bracelet/band may include a pluralityof active buttons to facilitate praying or meditating. The bracelet/bandmay also include wireless communication circuitry configured towirelessly communicate two-way signals with a second communicationdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a bracelet/band;

FIG. 1B shows another embodiment of a bracelet/band;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system for wireless communicationbetween two bracelets/bands; and

FIG. 3 shows an example of a method of enhancing an experience of prayeror meditation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description forthcoming, the apparatuses and processes are givenwithin the context of prayer or meditation. However, the configurationsand features may relate to any bracelet/band in communication with anelectronic device or computer. Moreover, individuals engaging in theacts of meditation and prayer may benefit from a device that retains theheritage and benefits of using prayer/meditation beads while harnessingthe convenience, capabilities, and robustness of today's wirelesscommunication technology.

Also in the description forthcoming is a prayer or meditationbracelet/band configured to provide religious social networking, prayer,meditation, or the like via mobile computer devices and the Internet.For instance, a mobile application or application programming interface(API) may be provided to provide such functions on mobile computerdevices. Such a configuration may be used to setup, coordinate, orfacilitate prayer or meditation groups. Such a bracelet/band may also bedesigned to be fashionable for women or men to wear. Such abracelet/band may also setup, coordinate, or facilitate dating or anyrelationship.

FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a wearable computer bracelet/band 100configured to be worn on the wrist of a user and configured to assistand enhance an act of praying or meditating. The embodiment of abracelet/band 100 in FIG. 1A is one example of such a bracelet/band andis not to be considered limiting. Bracelet/band 100 may be configured asany one or more of a portable communication device, general computer,wireless subscriber unit, mobile device, user equipment (UE), mobilestation, smartphone, pager, mobile computer, cellular phone, cellulartelephone, telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), computingdevice, sensor, machine, versatile device, appliance, personal computer(PC), digital music player, peripheral, add-on, an attachment, mediaplayer, video game device, wearable computer, Internet of Things (IoT)device, or any other electronic device for mobile or fixed mobileapplications.

In addition, the bracelet/band 100 may be configured with one or moredisplay devices that can be configured as a liquid crystal display(LCD), light emitting diode (LED), field emission display (FED),surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), organic lightemitting diode (OLED), flexible OLED, a high definition (HD) display, anIn-Plane Switching (IPS) based display, or any other display device. Anyone of these displays may be configured, manufactured, produced, orassembled based on the descriptions provided in U.S. Patent PublicationNos. 2006-0096392, 2007-0139391, 2007-0085838, or 2011-0037792 or U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,882,333, 7,050,835, 8,400,384, or 8,466,873, or WOPublication No. 2007-012899 that are all herein incorporated byreference as if fully set forth.

In the case of a flexible or bendable display device, the one or moreelectronic display devices may be configured and assembled using organiclight emitting diodes (OLED), liquid crystal displays using flexiblesubstrate technology, flexible transistors, field emission displays(FED) using flexible substrate technology, or the like. Any one of theprovided display devices herein may be self-lighting or use backlightingsources (e.g. LED, Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), etc.). One ormore display devices may be wholly or partially transparent, using oneof the display technologies mentioned herewith.

One or more display devices on bracelet/band 100 can be configured as atouch, multi-input touch, multiple input touch, multiple touch, ormulti-touch screen display using resistive, capacitive, surface-acousticwave (SAW) capacitive, infrared, strain gauge, optical imaging,dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, frustratedtotal internal reflection, or magneto-strictive technology, asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. One or more displaydevices on bracelet/band 100 can also be configured as a threedimensional (3D), electronic paper (e-paper), or electronic ink (e-ink)display device.

In addition, bracelet/band 100 may be configured with a universal serialbus (USB) connection, a USB device, or the like. Bracelet/band 100 mayalso be configured with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)device or Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

Bracelet/band 100 may have one or more motion, proximity, light,optical, chemical, biological, medical, environmental, barometric,atmospheric pressure, moisture, acoustic, audible, heat, temperature,metal detector, radio frequency identification (RFID), biometric, facerecognition, facial recognition, image, infrared, camera, photo, orvoice recognition sensor(s). One or more sensors may also be anaccelerometer, an electronic compass (e-compass), a gyroscope, a 3Dgyroscope, a 3D accelerometer, a 4D gyroscope, a 4D accelerometer, orthe like. One or more sensors may operate with respective softwareengines/components in software/OS on bracelet/band 100 or mobilecomputer 220 a to interpret/discern/process detected measurements,signals, fields, stimuli, inputs, or the like.

Bracelet/band 100 may also have touch detectors for detecting any touchinputs, multi-input touch inputs, multiple input touch inputs, multipletouch inputs, or multi-touch inputs for one or more display devices onbracelet/band 100. Touch detectors may be configured with one or moredisplay devices as provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,846 or 7,705,830that are both herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.One or more display devices may be configured with pressure sensors fordetecting presses on the display devices.

Bracelet/band 100 may be substantially circular as a ring 110. Aplurality of buttons 130 may be arranged on ring 110. Ring 110 may bemade of metal, plastic, composites, rubber, carbon fiber, or anymaterial wearable on a wrist. Buttons 130 may be active buttons, meaningthat pushing or touching such a button may result in an action of thebracelet/band 100, such as turning on a light, producing a sound, orproducing a tactile sensation. Tactile sensations may be a vibration,gyration, friction, buzz, or the like. Buttons 130 may be physicalbuttons, extending substantially above, extending substantially below,or being substantially flush with a background surface of ring 110.

Buttons 130 may be virtual or soft buttons on a touch-sensitive displayscreen. Examples of a touch-sensitive display screen may be atouchscreen, a multi-touch screen, or the like. The number of buttons130, positions of the buttons relative to one another, and actionsresulting from pressing or touching a button may configured tofacilitate praying or meditating or to remind a user to engage in aprayerful or meditative activity at a specific time. As an example, notto be considered limiting, bracelet/band 100 is shown having sixbuttons, arranged in two rows of three buttons each. Each button 130 maybe associated with a light emitter, such as a light-emitting diode(LED), a small filament light bulb, an electroluminescent chip, or anyother light source. Alternatively, light emitters may be locatedelsewhere on bracelet/band 100.

As an example of facilitating a prayer or meditation, the user may pressa button 130 as the user completes a section of a prayer or meditation.Pressing a button may then turn on a corresponding light emitter. Thelight may serve as a reminder to the user that the section has beencompleted. In this way, the bracelet/band 100 helps the user keep acount of various parts of a prayer or meditation, similar to thefunction of beads on a traditional prayer device such as a rosary.

Bracelet/band 100 may have a housing (not shown) for at least somebuttons, processor(s), display(s), driving circuitry for the lightemitters, a vibration mechanism, a battery, or any other electroniccomponents. Bracelet/band 100 may include a clasp/fastener 120,configured to allow easy attachment to and removal from a user's wrist.Clasp/fastener 120 may also act as housing for at least some buttons,processor(s), display(s), driving circuitry for the light emitters, avibration mechanism, a battery, or for any other electronic components.However, any one of such driving circuitry, vibration mechanism,battery, and other electronic components may be situated anywhere onbracelet/band 100.

Bracelet/band 100 may be configured to be programmable and may beconfigured for wireless communication, in order to provide a furtherenhanced prayer or meditation experience. To this end, bracelet/band 100may contain one or more of: a programmable electronic processor, aprogrammable memory, a read-only memory, a clock or counter, wirelesscommunication circuitry, and an antenna for wireless communication. Theprocessor may be programmed to control and interact with at least one ofdriving circuitry for the light emitters, a vibration mechanism, aprogrammable memory, a read-only memory, a clock, a counter, or wirelesscommunication circuitry.

As an example of a further enhanced prayer or meditation experience, thebuttons 130 and associated electronics may be configured to act in apre-determined sequence that reminds the user regarding various parts ofa prayer or meditation. For example, the user may define how long aparticular button or set of buttons must be dwelled upon (e.g. touched)at a given time to register as a completed section of a prayer ormeditation. This time may then be stored in a memory for each button, orincluded in a program executed by the processor. When this dwell timefor a particular button has elapsed, the bracelet/band 100 may alert theuser by, for example, vibrating, by emitting a sound, or by turning onor off the light emitter corresponding to the particular button. Asanother example, bracelet/band 100 may be programmed to remind the userto begin a prayer or meditation, at a particular time of day, using, forexample, light, sound, or vibration.

As another example of an enhanced prayer or meditation experience,pre-packaged prayer/meditation software may be purchased by one or moreusers, as downloaded software or as a physical module containing suchsoftware. The software may be downloaded via mobile computer 220 a fromthe Internet using a prayer or meditation app. Alternately, the softwaremay be shared via a social network or provided from another mobilecomputer 220 b. This way recommend prayers may be shared from a familymember, friend, parent, child, etc.

Bracelet/band 100 may include hardware 112 for connecting to a physicalmodule, computer, or other networked device that enables the storage ofsoftware in the bracelet/band memory and the implementation of thesoftware by the bracelet/band processor. The software could include, asexamples, bible studies or self-improvement meditations by sociallypopular religious leaders or psychologists. The software may define whateach button is dedicated to and the frequency it should be dwelled upon.A record may be kept by the software and provide related analytics tothe frequency, dates, time, length, collaboration, etc. of a meditationor prayer. The software may synchronize with other software orapplications on the Internet, mobile computer 220 a, and/or mobilecomputer 220 b.

FIG. 1B shows another embodiment of a bracelet/band 101. Clasp/fastener121 may be used to house a power source, battery, vibrating mechanisms,or the like. A sequence of substantially linear beads 131 may beconfigured on bracelet/band 101. Beads 131 may be configured as physicalor virtual beads shown on a digital display, as explained in otherparagraphs herein. Beads 131 may be configured using light emittingdiodes (LEDs). Beads 131 may be touch sensitive and be adaptivelyassigned to complete different prayers or meditations.

Bracelet/band 100 may be configured to communicate with one or moreother similar bracelets/bands worn by other users. FIG. 2 shows anexample of a system 200 for achieving this configuration. Twobracelets/bands 210 a and 210 b, worn by two individual users separatedby a distance, may communicate with each other in both directionsthrough a wireless network 230. Bracelets/bands 210 a and 210 b maycommunicate directly with one another through network 230 using wirelesscommunication electronics incorporated within each bracelet/band 210 a,210 b. Bracelets/bands 210 a and 210 b may also communicate directlywith one another through BLUETOOTH® using wireless communicationelectronics incorporated within each bracelet/band 210 a, 210 b.Alternatively, bracelets/bands 210 a and 210 b may communicate with eachother via one or more portable communication devices, such as a cellphone, smartphone, tablet, conveyance, or any other mobile computer.

In the particular example shown in FIG. 2, bracelet/band 210 a transmitsinformation wirelessly to mobile computer 220 a, such as a mobile phone.Mobile computer 220 a then transmits this information through network230 to a second mobile computer 220 b. Mobile computer 220 b thentransmits the information to second bracelet/band 210 b. Wireless linksbetween the bracelet/band 210 a, 210 b and the respective mobilecomputers 220 a and 220 b may be implemented using a short rangewireless communication protocol such as BLUETOOTH®. Wireless linksbetween mobile computers 220 a and 220 b via network 230 may beimplemented using wireless communications standard such as long termevolution (LTE), cdma2000, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), 802.11x, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless networking technology.

Using two-way signal communication and exchange of information betweenbracelet/bands, as one example, a particular button on one user'sbracelet/band 210 a may be assigned or customized to be wirelesslyconnected through wireless network 230 to a particular button on anotherbracelet/band 210 b worn by another user. Operation between the twobracelets/bands may include a mobile application or app on mobilecomputers 220 a and 220 b. Operation between the two bracelets/bands mayalso include a server accessed via a wireless and/or wired network thatmay coordinate sharing of information related to a performed meditationor prayer.

Mobile computers 220 a and 220 b with the mobile apps may be configuredto tie prayers or meditation completed to social network/media postssuch as on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, or the like. When a linked userdwells on the assigned button the other linked user's assigned buttonwill be activated, such as to become illuminated, to vibrate, or to emita sound. In this way, users can essentially exchange discreet “thinkingof you” messages.

Mobile computer 220 a may also communicate wirelessly through a groupfor coordinated prayer or meditation. For instance, a group may be setfor a family to pray/meditate together. Another group may be assembledfor friends. A priest or coordinator may direct a given group. For eachgroup, bracelet/band 210 a or mobile computer 220 a may be configured toonly share certain information. Thus different privacy levels may beconfigured.

As another example, mobile computers 220 a and 220 b may be configuredwith bracelets/bands 210 a and 210 b to network in order to quantify the“power of prayer.” For instance, a mobile application on mobilecomputers 220 a or 220 b many indicate people that are praying for aparticular shared prayer request from a user. Additionally, when a userhas a particular prayer request answered to their satisfaction, mobilecomputers 220 a or 220 b may be configured with bracelets/bands 210 a or210 b to send out a “prayer answered” notification to everyone connectedto that prayer.

As another example, users can create and join groups of other users whohave similar interests or want to meditate or pray together on specificthings. The group can define each meditation or prayer and decide how tolink particular buttons on their respective bracelet/bands. Groups canshare their data to hold themselves and each other accountable to spendtime in their prayers and/or meditations.

As another example, a user may request “followers” (people in theirnetwork) to pray or meditate for the user. The user can allow theirrequest to be forwarded by their followers to users outside of theirpersonal network 230. When prayer requests are made, the receivingperson can accept the request and assign the request to a button, keeptrack of how many people are connected to the request, or decline therequest with or without additional response.

As the number of followers grows, the requester's bracelet/band mayprovide and receive feedback, such as by illumination, vibration, or anumber displayed on a screen, showing the requester the number offollowers they have and how that number is changing with time. Thisfeedback may also be displayed to the requester on a portablecommunication device such as mobile computer 220 a or 220 b. Thefeedback may also be shown on a website associated with thebracelet/band 100. A user may choose an allowable level of sharing inall of these examples. When the requester feels their prayer has beenanswered, or their need met, they can send out a notification toeveryone attached to the original request. The notification can be, asexamples, in the form of a message displayed on a screen, anillumination of, or a vibration of, the assigned button on eachfollower's bracelet/band. Thus, in this manner the power ofprayer/meditation/affirmation may be quantified.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a general method 300 of enhancing anexperience of prayer or meditation. A user may be provided with a firstbracelet/band of a type described hereinbefore (310). A wirelessconnection between a particular button on the first bracelet/band and aparticular button on a second bracelet/band may be established (315).The button on the second bracelet/band may be activated using a buttonon the first bracelet/band (320). This remote activation is madepossible through the wireless connection.

Optionally, feedback may be received from the second bracelet/band andconveyed to a first bracelet/band 325. As an example, the firstbracelet/band may establish connections with two or more otherbracelets/bands. Such communicating may be for a group of users withsimilar religious or any other preferences, group prayer/meditation,social networking, or the like.

Although the features and elements of the present invention aredescribed in the example embodiments in particular combinations, eachfeature may be used alone without the other features and elements of theexample embodiments or in various combinations with or without otherfeatures and elements of the present invention. Changes in the form andthe proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalentsare contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedientwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first band configuredwith: virtual inputs on a surface sensitive to touch, and touching asubset of the virtual inputs for an activity with a second band;wireless communication circuitry to communicate first data to a firstmobile device, the first data including information that identifiescompletion of the activity and indicates a time period that the subsetare touched; and the first mobile device configured with: communicationcircuitry to communicate second data to a second mobile device toreplicate the activity.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:the first band configured with circuitry to generate any one of a sound,a vibration, and a tactile sensation in relation to the surface beingtouched.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the subset illuminates as areminder to perform the activity and the touching of the subset isperformed in a sequence to complete the activity.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the activity is a group activity to complete with a group ofbands.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: circuitryconfigured to display virtual buttons on a touchscreen of the first bandrepresenting the virtual inputs and the virtual buttons are virtualbeads.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the first bandconfigured with a vibration mechanism that generates a tactilevibration, wherein the vibration mechanism activates according to anaction of a user or by a control signal.
 7. The system of claim 1,further comprising: the first band configured with a sensor to detectmotion for a physical input to the activity.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the time period is a time to dwell before a registered touch onthe subset.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein different characteristicson the surface are associated with rules for a prayer or a meditation.10. A method comprising: touching a subset of virtual inputs, on asurface sensitive to touch associated with a first band, for an activitywith a second band; communicating, by the first band, first data to afirst mobile device, the first data including information thatidentifies completion of the activity and indicates a time period thatthe subset are touched; and communicating, by the first mobile device,second data to a second mobile device to replicate the activity.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: generating, by the first band,any one of a sound, a vibration, and a tactile sensation in relation tothe surface being touched.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein thesubset illuminates as a reminder to perform the activity and thetouching of the subset is performed in a sequence to complete theactivity.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the activity is a groupactivity to complete with a group of bands.
 14. The method of claim 10,further comprising: displaying, by the first band, virtual buttons on atouchscreen representing the virtual inputs and the virtual buttons arevirtual beads.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:generating, by a vibration mechanism of the first band, a tactilevibration, wherein the vibration mechanism activates according to anaction of a user or by a control signal.
 16. The method of claim 10,further comprising: detecting, by a sensor of the first band, motion fora physical input to the activity.
 17. The method of claim 10, whereinthe time period is a time to dwell before a registered touch on thesubset.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein different characteristics onthe surface are associated with rules for a prayer or a meditation. 19.An activity system, comprising: a memory communicably coupled to aprocessor and storing: an activity module including instructions thatwhen executed by the processor cause the processor to: receive virtualinputs on a surface sensitive to touch associated with a first band, andtouching a subset of the virtual inputs for an activity with a secondband; communicate, by the first band, first data to a first mobiledevice, the first data including information that identifies completionof the activity and indicates a time period that the subset are touched;and communicate, by the first mobile device, second data to a secondmobile device to replicate the activity.
 20. The activity system ofclaim 19, wherein the subset illuminates as a reminder to perform theactivity and the touching of the subset is performed in a sequence tocomplete the activity.